A Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, on Thursday ordered the remand of a State Security Services personnel, Yusuf John, for allegedly assaulting a police officer.
Mr. John, 35, was arraigned before the court on a two-count charge bordering on criminal force and assault, offences he denied committing.
The judge, Umar Kagarko, ordered that the defendant be remanded in police custody till January 29, to ascertain the true condition of the victim, allegedly beaten-up by the SSS operative.
The prosecutor, Augustine Urom, had told the court that Irieme Aigberadion, a police sergeant, attached to Lugbe Division, FCT Command, reported the matter at Garki Police Station on Jan.27.
He said the complainant, at about 6 p.m. on the same day, together with his team, went to Lagos Street, Garki, to wash their patrol vehicle.
“In the process, he saw the defendant beating one Gift Utti, of Garki 2, a commercial sex worker.
“He went to separate him and stop the beating of the sex worker”, Mr. Urom said.
The prosecutor also said that Aigberadion introduced himself as a police officer, and showed Mr. John his identity card.
“Instead of relenting, John went ahead and assaulted Aigberadion.
“He held him by the neck of his shirt and tried to strangle him”, Mr. Urom said.
He said Mr. John removed his belt and started beating up the police officer, hitting him on the head and right hand.
“The officer is currently at police hospital, Area 1, receiving treatment”, he said.
Mr. Urom said that the offences contravened Sections 265 and 248 of the Penal Code.
However, the defense counsel, C.I Nnaemeka, prayed the court to grant the defendant bail.
The prosecutor objected to the bail application on the grounds that the victim was still receiving treatment at the hospital.
“Right now, we don’t even know the condition of the victim”, he told the court. (NAN)
